Category Archives: Politics

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Free Tampons Are Actually a Great Idea. Just Don’t Mention It Online

I don’t get why this is so stigmatized. I remember the first time I got mine and hearing some of my relatives in India talking to my mom on the phone and asking why I was part of the “celebration” that took place because I was now a “woman” – whatever the hell that means. I mean what: y’all are celebrating a new chapter of my life and y’all don’t want me there because I’m “not pure” because of stupid blood? (Some traditions are just pathetic and I can’t help but laugh because I’m that speechless.)

Anyway back to free tampons: yes it’s a great idea. Not only would a program like that improve the lives of many girls and women that can’t afford them and have to resort to unhygenic means or just hide from society because of blood, but it would decrease the stigma against a natural cycle that women go through on a monthly basis.

And the backlash against Valenti is just disappointing and discouraging. I won’t judge those that decided to judge Valenti and misreading her intentions. But seriously, why is it that women face much more backlash for posing seemingly innocent and curious questions but men don’t seem to face something to the same extent and to the same level of blatant threats? (#notallmen but actually.) Curiosity is virtue for men but a vice for women: why is it when curiosity is simply part of being human?

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http://ugtimes.com/2014/06/content/politics/the-indian-general-elections-overwhelming-majorities-and-underlying-controversies/

http://ugtimes.com/2014/06/content/politics/the-indian-general-elections-overwhelming-majorities-and-underlying-controversies/

Raising similar issues that I brought up in my own blog post: “NaMo”. It’s really nice to see more people questioning the motives and connections of Indian politicians — and politicians in general — and staying civil and respectful at the same time. 

Also, please like The Undergraduate Times on Facebook, and subscribe to their mailing list. They have some really good articles written by undergraduates (like myself). It’s insightful and amusing at the same time. 🙂 

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http://time.com/2802038/india-rape-hanging/

http://time.com/2802038/india-rape-hanging/

Yet another rape-murder case in India. And once again the victims were Dalit — or the Untouchables, the group of people that are considered to be outside the caste system and deal with garbage and dead bodies (unholy things in other words). I agree that the “boys will be boys” phrase needs to stop. But Indians and those of Indian descent need to change their attitudes on the social hierarchy that is still present as the caste system, even though India officially abolished the caste system after it’s independence in 1947. Yes it is hard to change a tradition that is thousands of years old. And yes it will take time. But change has to start from the cultural norms and attitudes, and the best place to start for India is the caste system. It is stupid. It is wrong. And it is just another form of oppression. There is nothing different between me, a Brahmin, and my friend, a Sudra. We both have dreams and aspirations; we both want to make a difference in the world; we love our friends and family. Yet the caste system says that I am inherently better than my friend because of our previous lives. To be honest, I don’t give two shits about my previous life or my next life. I’m living my life now, and that’s all that really should matter. So the whole deal about karma and caste is just another way to oppress the lower castes and sub-castes. And raping/murdering Dalit girls is an open show of the power the monsters possessed because they were — probably — of a higher caste or sub-caste. They were taught to be that way, and we can try to change their attitudes. But we shouldn’t be reactive and change the attitudes of criminals. We, as Indians, no matter where you reside in the world or how you feel about the caste system, should be proactive and learn to change our attitudes first. So that crimes like these will never be committed in the first place.